264 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



Horse-breeding states.- — The thirteenth United States 

 census gives figures showing the number of colts pro- 

 duced in each state for the year 1909, as well as the total 

 number of mature horses at the time the census was 

 taken. In this classification all horses over fifteen and 

 one-half months of age are considered mature. From 

 these figures we learn that for every 100 mature horses 

 there were 9.9 colts produced in the United States — 2.8 

 colts in the New England states ; 5.0 colts in the middle 

 Atlantic states; 10.5 colts in the north central states; 

 7.6 colts in the south Atlantic states ; 9.2 colts in the 

 south central states; 14.2 colts in the mountain states; 

 and 1 1.3 colts produced for each 100 head of mature 

 horses in the Pacific states. 



Conditions favorable to horse breeding. — So far as 

 natural conditions are concerned much of the United 

 States affords ideal breeding ground for the horse. This 

 is emphasized by the manner in which feral horses bred 

 when given their freedom by the early settlers. Per- 

 haps nowhere else in the world do the natural conditions 

 surpass those of Kentucky, especially for the production 

 of light, stylish horses, such as the Thoroughbred, the 

 American Saddler and the Standardbred horse. The 

 same is true of the heavy drafter throughout many of 

 the north central states. 



Mechanical power. — The usefulness of mechanical 

 power is going to relieve the horse of much of the cheaper 

 forms of labor such as long distant deliveries, plowing 

 large areas, and the like. While the future influence of 

 these motors cannot be foretold, past experience is en- 

 couraging to the horse breeder. It is not likely that these 

 machines will affect the horse market, at least for some 

 time to come, any more seriously than did the railroads 

 and electric cars. During the past decade, in which 

 motors have been an active competitor, the price of the 

 horse has risen 138 per cent. Evidently these machines 

 have not seriously affected the demand for horses, as such 

 increase in value would be impossible. 



